By JOHN MUNFORD
jmunford@TheCitizenNews.com

Tuesday morning, investigators were closely examining the wreckage from the fatal plane crash at Falcon Field Saturday that claimed the lives of three Atlanta area residents.

They were looking for any clues of mechanical problems that could have occurred before the crash, said Phil Powell, an investigator from the National Transportation Safety Board.

“There was quite a lot of displacement with the engine and propeller,” Powell said near the crash scene Saturday afternoon. But he saw nothing out of the ordinary, comparing the scene to other crashes he has investigated.

The plane, a 1967 Cessna 172 model, had taken off from the airstrip moments before crashing into a wooded area next to the runway, Powell said. The aircraft, which was rented from Peachtree Flight Center, came to rest near the Planterra Ridge golf course.

Witnesses saw the plane begin to spin after it took flight, Powell said. During the spin, the aircraft's nose aimed downward before the plane hit the ground nose-first, he added.

The force of the crash immediately killed the pilot, Robert J. Leach Jr. of Atlanta, said Fayette County Coroner C.J. Mowell.

Both of the passengers, William Brock Senft of Atlanta and Francie Ziegler of Tucker, were flown by helicopter to Atlanta-area hospitals, Mowell said. Senft died at Grady Hospital during surgery Saturday afternoon and Ziegler died Saturday evening at Atlanta Medical Center, the coroner added.

Emergency crews from Peachtree City's Fire and Rescue Department had difficulty extricating the passengers because the passenger compartment was severely compacted, Lohr said.

Despite those challenges, Ziegler was in flight after 34 minutes while Senft was on his way after an hour, the chief said.

Helicopters from Phoenix Air and MedServe Air landed on the 17th hole of the golf course to await the two victims, who were first stabilized for flight.

One of the plane's wings broke off, causing fuel to spill in the area. The fuel never ignited, although it presented a danger and forced emergency workers to exercise more caution than normal, Fire Chief Lohr added.

No information has been released relating to any possible cause of the accident. A full report on the crash won't be complete for approximately six months, Powell estimated.

Neither of the victims was able to tell personnel what happened before the crash, Powell said.

There is no indication that the pilot had time to radio for help before the crash, Powell said. The trio had planned to return to Peachtree City later in the day, he added.